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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Don: No sedition in the Reverend's comments

There was no sign of sedition in Rev Eu Hong Seng's Saturday remarks, all he did was to highlight important issues concerning Article 153 of the federal constitution.

Advising the right wing group Perkasa to grow up, International Islamic University law professor Abdul Aziz Bari told Malaysiakinithere should be space for differing opinions.

"I do not think Perkasa was right in making the police report. Though it is their right nonetheless police have better and more important things to do.

"I don't see any seditious tendency in the priest's remarks. In fact he has some important issues on Article 153.

"I think our society, especially right wing groups like Perkasa, should grow up and be willing to accord more space for difference of opinions.

"The most one can do is to ask the priest to explain his points," said the constitutional expert.

Abdul Aziz (left) said a 10-year study by Universiti Malaya students concluded that Malays were willing to share.

However, he said the only concern is issues like apostasy and even this at times has been blown up out of proportion.

"Is it because the priest is a non- Malay and non-Muslim, and therefore his remarks are considered seditious? We've to bear in mind that we are about to enter our 55th year of independence and yet we are still stuck in this mind-set in defending Article 153.

"The Reid commission recommended the provisions be reviewed by parliament 15 years after independence. Now after almost 55 years we are still talking about it," he pointed out.

On Saturday, Eu who is also the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) chairperson touching on Article 153 said there is a need to talk on the rights of others and that it was bullying the minority.

Muhyiddin warns, Perkasa lodges report

Article 153 concerns the special privileges of the Malays and Bumiputera, guaranteed under the Constitution.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had on Tuesday said it wasincorrect to say the Article had a bullying effect on the minority.